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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 11:06 PM
  #1  
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Cool computer adaptation

Does anyone know of a company that makes computer adapters,say for taking out a v6 and installing a 2.3 fuel injected engine or anything of that nature.I mistakenly got a 96 2.3 engine and found out that it won't go in where an earlier 2.3 is already.Can it be done or does someone need a 96 2.3 with 56000 miles on it.This is a grabbing for air question I know,but such a thing might exist,and you never know till you ask!!!
 
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 03:56 AM
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From: Broken Arrow,Ok
What year is your truck and does it have a 2.3 in it now? I put a 93 2.3 in a 92 and used all the wiring and hook ups from the 92 and thats because in 93 they moved the battery and relay box to opposite sides. I also used the upper manifold from the 92 because it didn't have the EGR. Take a close look at both engines and note any differences, the engines may be the same just a difference in the wiring, if so use the wiring thats in the truck now.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 09:22 AM
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by 66shortbox
Does anyone know of a company that makes computer adapters,say for taking out a v6 and installing a 2.3 fuel injected engine or anything of that nature.I mistakenly got a 96 2.3 engine and found out that it won't go in where an earlier 2.3 is already.Can it be done or does someone need a 96 2.3 with 56000 miles on it.This is a grabbing for air question I know,but such a thing might exist,and you never know till you ask!!!

Your saying TWO DIFFERENT things there. I have a 94 that I bought with a blown motor (guy tried driving with no oil). I got another 2.3 and had to transfer the wiring from the old, and the plenum (different egr setup). A 2.3 should swap with a 2.3 with some possible parts swap. BUT you first ask about putting a 2.3 in for either a 3.0 or 4.0, that is a whole other ball game (motor mounts, crossmembers, transmission, etc)

Which are you asking?
 
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 12:25 PM
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The 2.3 95 don,t have some of the same mounting bolt holes on the block,so the earlier bracketry won't bolt up,so what I really meant is does some company make adapters that will hook the later wiring to work in the earlier model 1989.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2006 | 07:57 AM
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From: Broken Arrow,Ok
Ok, let's get this straight. You have an 89 Ranger with a 2.3 and you have a 95 2.3 engine that you are wanting to install. Is this correct?

Just 1 more unrelated question. Do you have a 66 Ford pickup? I love those trucks, have had 2 66's, 2 65's and a 64.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2006 | 11:13 AM
  #6  
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Originally Posted by 66shortbox
The 2.3 95 don,t have some of the same mounting bolt holes on the block,so the earlier bracketry won't bolt up,so what I really meant is does some company make adapters that will hook the later wiring to work in the earlier model 1989.
In short, no.

It would help is the 2.3L between that 89 model and the 95 donor was the same exact block, but it's not. Really. Only the name is the same.

The 2.3L got redesigned after 1994. The bore and stroke dimensions are even different.

The is a guy who posts on TRS who did swap a 96 model 2.3L into his 94 model truck, but even that was a workout, because the later block is fitted for extra sensors and some are in different places than the early blocks.
 

Last edited by AlfredB1979; Oct 14, 2006 at 11:16 AM.
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Old Oct 14, 2006 | 09:25 PM
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ranger engine swap

In your reply you said that he did do it(and I take it that it wasn't easy)but that he did do it.Could he be gotten hold of to tell of the miseries of the deal,or perhaps he gave up.I know the crank position sensor is in a different place,as is the seemed cam position sensor(i think that is the one on the shaft that turned the distributor on earlier models"not sure though").
But looking it over it would be a real can of worms cuz the 96 is equipped for air,the damper is different,water pump is different.I hate this new technology where the vehicle controls you,and you can't control it.I have put every kind of ford engine in the older ones,all completely successfully.Even if they would have left distributors in them it would be more easy.As I recall there isn't even a place for one in the 96.

Anyway just venting my frustration,I guess I'm just to far into the old school,as there probably is a great number in fte that don't even know what a flathead v8 is.I have rebuilt bout 70 of them,as I was an engine rebuilder for 40 years,and only stopped because of health reasons......Thank you Gene C.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2006 | 09:29 AM
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From: Broken Arrow,Ok
89-94 2.3 engines are a basic straight swap. But, if you have the complete donor vehicle and wanted to go to the trouble I quess anything would be possible. You would need all sensors,wiring harness, computer and who knows what all for that swap. It would probably be easier to put in a 302 (5.0) than to put a 96 into an 89. You best bet would be to find an 89-94 engine. (Thinking out loud:flathead in a Ranger, hhhmmm!!!, not another like it.)
 
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Old Oct 15, 2006 | 07:27 PM
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Actually, brother dear, there is a forum for flathead V-8's and all the trucks they came in. But I do like the idea of putting a flathead in there. Tear ALL the wiring out and start from scratch. Sounds about as easy, from the replies so far. Heh heh.

BTW folks ... he IS my brother. And in reply to the 66 question, he's had a number of 63-66's. All transformed into the fastest beast he could manage. I'll have to see if he has any pics and help him make an album. He's the one who built the 68 Falcon of mine, in my albums. Plus the light blue & white 60 panel, plus.... oh heck... he built a lot of my own rigs before I bought 'em from him.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2006 | 07:45 PM
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Talking ranger swap

[QUOTE=jrfateranger]89-94 2.3 engines are a basic straight swap. But, if you have the complete donor vehicle and wanted to go to the trouble I quess anything would be possible. You would need all sensors,wiring harness, computer and who knows what all for that swap. It would probably be easier to put in a 302 (5.0) than to put a 96 into an 89. You best bet would be to find an 89-94 engine. (Thinking out loud:flathead in a Ranger, hhhmmm!!!, not another like it.)[


/QUOTE]Boy you certainly got that right,and while were at it lets make the flatty a ford 60 with aluminum Fenton heads,and an offy 2 twos.Your sense of humor must be great,and if I had a 60 I,d put it to birth(be a real conversation piece to say the least).

Ionce had an ugh(corvette)and was going to put a 351w in it but decided I needed to live a little longer(wanted to put it in hotrod mag),now I wish I would have.........so now you probably think I'm really crazy,but I'm not its the rest of the world that is.
 
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Old Oct 16, 2006 | 03:14 PM
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Put a 351w in a vette and you would be my hero But find a way to put a 427sohc in there and you would be a god.
 
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Old Oct 16, 2006 | 04:04 PM
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Or a boss 429 hemie even, I know what a flat head is, my first vehicle was a 1950 ford p/u, 3 speed on the floor with a flat head 6, then later got a 49 p/u with the FH v8. I'm not that old I just like the old stuff. You could wire a FH with a roll of wire and a pair of pliers. Even the 2.3 in a pinto was easy, but this fuel injection changed everything.
 
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